FilmCrave Movie Blog 02/2012

New DVD and Blu-Ray Releases to Crave: Hugo Brings Back the Magic, Johnny English is Reborn

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/28/12 at 10:28 AM CT

While there's not the largest variety to choose from this Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012 - at least the quality more than makes up for the somewhat low numbers.

1) Fresh off some impressive Academy Awards - at least in the technical categories, Martin Scorsese's family friendly Hugo should enjoy a good post-Oscar bump in sales. I know it's one of the top movies on my list I haven't seen yet from last …

Weekend Box Office: SEAL Valor Beats Good Deeds; Wanderlust, Gone Tank

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/27/12 at 12:54 AM CT

It was a bit of good news/bad news for the new releases over the weekend. While patriotism and Tyler Perry managed decent debuts, news wasn't so peachy for Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston and Amanda Seyfried.

Opening in the top spot, the "Featuring Active Navy SEALs" film Act of Valor took in $24.7 million on a budget of $12 million (though the insane marketing probably pushed up costs juuuuust …

Oscars - Best Picture

patjohnson76 - wrote on 02/26/12 at 01:39 PM CT

Just under the wire, I'm getting my final part of my take on the Oscar nominations up. Here I'll break down the 9 nominees for Best Picture...well, I'll break down some of them after eliminating some from contention.

In 2009 the Academy made the head-scratching decision to nominate 10 films for Best Picture in the hopes of drawing more viewers by having fan-favorite films get nominated. The …

New Movies to Crave: Act of Valor Does Its Duty, Tyler Perry Goes Non-Madea in Good Deeds

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/24/12 at 11:41 AM CT

Even thought the box office was still up last week, none of the new movies made an impression with audiences. Hopefully the films opening Feb. 24, 2012 will be able to make a better impression. While the Oscars might take center stage this weekend, hopefully there are still plenty of people interested in this year's movies too.

1) The real Navy SEALS in Act of Valor are out to show us peons …

Oscars - Best Director

patjohnson76 - wrote on 02/23/12 at 04:21 PM CT

Part five of breaking down the major Oscar races, this one focusing on Best Director.

Woody Allen - Midnight in Paris

FOR HIM: The Academy's love affair with Allen continues with Midnight in Paris, as Allen received directing and writing nominations for his latest film, which many have called his best since Annie Hall, where Allen won for Best Director. The film has numerous nominations, …

Oscars - Best Actress

patjohnson76 - wrote on 02/21/12 at 01:48 PM CT

Part 4 of breaking down the major Oscar races, this one focusing on Best Actress.

Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs

FOR HER: In a project that has spanned nearly 30 years, Close brings her character of Albert Nobbs to the big screen in a critically-acclaimed performance. If voters love passion projects, they have to admire Close here, as she not only stars in the film, but also produced, co-wrote …

New DVD and Blu-Ray Releases to Crave: J. Edgar, Puss in Boots and a Tower Heist

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/21/12 at 01:05 PM CT

It looks like you get a little of everything for your Feb. 21, 2012 weekly release. Granted, you'll have to wait a few more days for one particular swarthy animated cat, but you can hold out, can't you?

1) The cat in question is voiced by the silky-smooth Antonio Banderas who always sounds like he's having a good time as Puss in Boots. With a supporting cast including Salma Hayek, Zach …

Weekend Box Office: Ghost Rider Can't Catch Up to Safe House, The Vow

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/20/12 at 11:09 AM CT

While the new movies didn't exactly make big waves with audience over the President's Day weekend, luckily last week's strong entries proved they have what it takes and still gave a boost to the box office compared to 2011.

Coming out on top Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds Safe House had a mild 40% drop and wound up with $24 million, pushing the film's total to $78.3 million. Once again, …

Oscars - Best Actor

patjohnson76 - wrote on 02/19/12 at 07:10 PM CT

Part 3 of breaking down the major Oscar races, here is Best Actor, a race that seemed all locked up until a couple weeks ago. The nominees:

Demian Bechir - A Better Life

FOR HIM: A surprise nominee (edging out Leonardo DiCaprio), Bechir's performance in A Better Life captivated critics when the film was released in the summer of 2011. The film was released to strong reviews and this …

New Movies to Crave: Ghostrider Returns, This Means War Attacks, Secret Worlds are Revealed

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/17/12 at 01:05 PM CT

After a great start to the movie season, will the films coming out on Feb. 17, 2012 be able to continue the box office winning streak? If Nicolas Cage, Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Studio Ghibli are all hoping for the best.

1) I honestly have no idea why Ghost Rider deserves a sequel, but Cage (who may or may not be a vampire) decided to come back for Ghost Rider: Spirit of …

Oscars - Best Supporting Actress

patjohnson76 - wrote on 02/16/12 at 07:51 PM CT

Part two of predicting the major Oscar races, Best Supporting Actress is the race where lots of upset winners tend to happen, could it happen again this year? The nominees...

Bernice Bejo: The Artist

FOR HER: She's starring in a Best Picture contender that's the favorite to win. The Academy has really embraced the film and her parallel story against Jean Dujardin's is just as fun to watch. …

Oscars - Best Supporting Actor

patjohnson76 - wrote on 02/15/12 at 10:23 PM CT

Part 1 in a 6 part series where I break down the major Oscar races and predict a winner. I'll post the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate before making a final prediction.

Kenneth Branagh: My Week with Marilyn

FOR HIM: Branagh had a good year, directing the surprising well-reviewed Thor to strong box office results to portraying Laurence Olivier against Michelle Williams' Marilyn …

New DVD and Blu-Ray Releases to Crave: Take Shelter with Rum Diary & The Human Centipede II

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/14/12 at 03:46 PM CT

The release dates are a little scary this week. Tuesday Feb. 14th, 2012 brings us a collection of horrors - mostly intentional.

1) Johnny Depp proved he's not 100% infallible after the quirky nature of The Rum Diary failed to capture much interest at the box office. Still, like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, this film caters to a much more limited audience than, say, Pirates of the …

Weekend Box Office: The Vow, Safe House Lead the Pack in Record Box Office

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/13/12 at 10:52 AM CT

It was a good weekend for Hollywood as, for only the second time in history, all new releases opened above the $20 million mark. The only other weekend that happened was in Christmas 2008. The big gains helped overall totals to $188.7 million - 30% higher than the same weekend in 2011.

Leading the way was the Channing Tatum/Rachel McAdams romantic drama The Vow. With $41.7 million, it easily …

New Movies to Crave: Take the Journey 2 or The Vow, Visit a Safe House, Get Menaced in 3D

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/10/12 at 11:45 AM CT

It's going to be a busy week for action as Feb. 10, 2012 brings us The Rock trying to save another franchise, Denzel Washington back in control and George Lucas hoping that fans will forgive him and revisit Star Wars in 3D.

Can Dwayne Johnson make Journey 2: The Mysterious Island pop as much as Fast Five? Fro the critical reception, no, not even close. However, for families looking to catch a …

New DVD and Blu-Ray Releases to Crave: Harold & Kumar Enjoy a Christmas High, Twilight's Dawn Breaks

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/07/12 at 01:12 PM CT

I hear the cry of many a tween (and probably some adults too) as the week of February 7, 2012 brings us the release of the shiniest of shiny vampires and stoners can also get their buzz with the third installment of what has become a beloved franchise.

1) I have never been a fan nor will you convert me, but I'm not going to deny that The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part I is going to …

Weekend Box Office: Chronicle has Super Weekend, Woman in Black Just a Hair Behind

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/06/12 at 09:44 PM CT

Despite the draw of the Super Bowl, it was a super weekend at the box office as it marked the first time in history two films broke the $20 million mark vs. the biggest football game of the year. It also represented a massive 32% increase in the total box office compared to 2011.

The super teen found footage film Chronicle took the top spot with $24 million. While that total is behind the …

7 Possible Upsets on Oscar Night

patjohnson76 - wrote on 02/03/12 at 01:45 PM CT

At this point in the awards season, it’s usually easy to call most Oscar races. But what if the Academy decides to get a little funky and create some upsets? Let’s just imagine:

Hugo could win Best Picture

Though The Artist is the favorite, with The Descendents possibly being a spoiler, there’s still a chance Hugo could pull off a major upset. Why? It has the most nominations out of …

New Movies to Crave: The Woman in Black, Chonicle & Big Miracle Fight for Top Spot

Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/03/12 at 11:58 AM CT

It's a weekend of taking chances as a big name steps out of a familiar role and a familiar genre takes on a new challenge.

First the big name - Daniel Radcliffe, better known to legion of raving fans as Harry Potter, takes on a much different role as a lawyer who encounters The Woman in Black. Will the one-time wizard be able to cast a spell on the horror genre? While reviews aren't through …



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